Sewing-machine folder



e. B. OS TERHOUT.

SEWING MACHINE FOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY 20,1918.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

GARRET OSTERHOUT, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO.WILLCOX & GIBBS SEWING MACHINE 00., OF NEW YORK, N. 'Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SEWING-MACHINE FOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

Application filed July 20, 1918. Serial No. 245,838.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GARRET B. OSTERHOUT, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Providence, Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sewing-Machine Folders, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to a lap seam folder, also called a feller because of its adaptability to the production of a felled seam. As well known, a felled seam is one in which two interfolded edges of fabric, brought together in that relationship by passing through a folder, are secured together by two parallel rows of stitches. One common and extensive use of the felled seam is in mens linen shirts. The main object of the present invention is to provide a folder of simple, cheap and efficient construction, capable of adjustment to vary the width of the fold or folds. The invention may be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating what is now believed to be the preferred embodiment thereof. In said draw- Figure 1 is a perspective view with the delivery end forward;

Fig. 2 is another perspective with the adj ustable member shown detached; and

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectlon on line 83 of F ig. 1.

5 is a base-plate and work support. It lies mostly to the left of the medial line mw (dotted in Figs. 1 and 3) of the folder, when viewing the latter from its receiving end which is that uppermost in Figs. 1 and 2. Beginning at about said medial line w:c, plate 5 curves upward at its right-hand edge in a peculiar succession of reversing curves, which, as viewed in cross-section Fig. 8, for example, form what may be termed a continuous double reversing spiral, or a continuous double reversing scroll. Thus, beginning at line a2-0c, plate 5 curves in an approximate semi-circle back to said line at 3/ it then makes a downward curve on a much shorter radius, intersecting line zu-w at .2, from whence there is a reverse curve, on a shorter radius, to point to of intersection with w-w, and on a longer radius from w to the overhanging upper edge of the plate. The two reversing spirals or scrolls may be regarded as beginning and extending in opposite directions from the point e where they connect together. A further effect of the double curvature is to give .an 3 formation, in cross-section, to that part of the wall lying between lines a and b, Fig. 3. The curvature dimensions decrease from the receivmg end, giving the upstanding part of the folder, and the passages therethrough, a gradual taper or contraction toward the delivery end thereof.

Preferably the base of the folder is extended to the left bya plate 6, soldered at 7 along one edge to plate 5.

The structure thus far described constitutes, in one piece, a complete folder or feller, for folds of an invariable width. A lower piece of fabric introduced above the plate 5 is curled upward in the lower cavity or passageway of the folder until its edge contacts and is guided by the wall 8 at the end of said cavity. An upper piece of fabric introduced above the plate 6 is curled downward in the upper cavity or passage way of the folder until its edge contacts and is guided by the wall 9 at the end of said cavity. The two pieces of fabric advancing together will leave the exit end of the folder each with its edge folded over and overlapping the folded edge of the other piece.

To provide for variation and adjustment of the edge folds, the upstanding portion of plate 5 is cut away at the delivery end thereof (as most clearly shown in Fig. 2) so as to leave at that point merely the upstanding curved lip 10. The portion of plate 5 thus cut away is in a sense replaced by an adj ustable member 11 which extends along and covers the upstanding part of plate 5, and is tapered and-curved to closely fit about the same. The forward end of member 11 provides a downwardly curved depending lip 12 adapted to cooperate with the upstanding lip 10, in determining the Width of fold at the delivery end of the folder. A pivotscrew 13, and a set-screw 14 through a slot 15 in member 11, adjustably secure the latter to the upstanding part of plate 5. By loosening both screws and swinging member 11 about screw 13,--to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 for example-the relative position of lips 10 and 12 may be adjusted to correspondingly vary the width of fold.

c When the desired adjustment has been effected, screws 13 and 14 are again tightened.

WVhat is claimed is 1; A folder having incombination a base, a, work-guiding wall rising from said base and forming in cross section a double continuous reversing scroll or spiral providing two oppositely opening passage-ways elongated in the direction of advance of mate rial to be folded for guiding the edges of said material, and a member forming a portion of the work-guiding wall at the delivery end of the folder and adjustable to vary the width of fold. V V

2. A folder having in combination a base, a Work-guiding wall rising from said base and forming in cross section a double con tinuous reversing scroll or spiral providing two'oppositely opening passage-ways elongated in the direction of advance of material to be folded and tapering or contract ing toward the delivery end thereof, and a member forming a portion of the work guiding wall at the delivery end of the folder and adjustable to vary the width of fold.

3. A folder having in combination a base, a work-guiding wall rising from said base and forming in cross'section a double continuous reversing scroll or spiral providing twooppositely opening passageways elongated in the. direction of advance of material to be folded for guiding the edges of said material, and a member forming a portion of the wall engaging the work at the delivery end of the folder and adjustably mounted upon said first-named main workguiding wall to vary the width of fold,

4:; A folder having in 'comblnat on a base, a work-guldlng wall rismg therefrom and forming in cross section a double continua part of the wall engaging the work at the delivery end of the folder, and by its adjustment varying the width of fold.

5. A folder having in combination a base, a work-guiding wall rising therefrom and forming in cross section a double oontinuous reversing spiral or scroll providing two oppositely opening passage-ways for the edges of material to be folded, a portion of said wall being cut away or omitted at the delivery end of the folder, and a curved plate member fitting about and adjustably secured to said upstanding work-guiding wall and forming a substitute for the omitted portion thereof to engage the work at thedelivery end of the folder and'by its adjustment varying the width of fold.

in testimony whereof I have signed this specification. V V

GARRET 'B. OSTERHOUT. 

